英语美文阅读10篇

英语美文十篇

1

What is your most ideal day? Do you know exactly how you want to live your life for the next five days, five weeks, five months or five years? When was the last best day of your life? When is the next?

The best day of our lives is today. The past is no longer here. We cannot enjoy it any longer. To dwell on the past is to waste the opportunity to enjoy the present. The future is a promise, a time that will not come because what we have is only today. When tomorrow comes, it will not be tomorrow any more; it becomes your today. You cannot enjoy tomorrow unless you know how to enjoy your today. If you are to live thirty more years, you are going to experience 10,950 todays. But every day that passes without your notice is a day cut off from your life. Your life is a day shorter every new day.

Each day is a decision to live. Today is a gift; this is why it is called the "present". How you use this day is up to you. At each new day, you decide whether to unwrap that gift, or let it stay in the corner and spoil. Each day is a decision to live your ideal life.

2

I have never heard my father raise his voice or yell at anyone. He talks quietly and slowly when angered, but his voice also deepens and he makes sure that he has your full attention. He is as gentle and soft-hearted as usual, and rules with his heart, not his hands. We never wanted to disappoint him, but knew that we should try our best, which was all that he would ever ask. We were safe in knowing that Dad’s love was unconditional, and that it alwa ys would be. He has a way of making people laugh, and children simply like him. I’ve always respected his integrity1, honesty and openness.I can’t imagine a childhood without a father like mine —and I love him to pieces.

1. integrity n. 诚实正直

3

Stop trying to prove how bad things are to the world. Start showing the world how great things can be.

From the same place where you slid backwards, you can begin to move ahead. Whether you are in a good place or a bad place depends entirely on where you choose to go next. Where your passion and attention are consistently focused is where your life will go. Focus on the positive possibilities that excite you the most.

Don’t let your excuses continue to hold you back. Allow your effective and purpose ful actions to move you forward. You don’t have to save the whole world in a single bound. Small steps, taken again and again, will accomplish far more than any grandiose* scheme.

Now is the moment in which you are living, and now is the moment to give your very best to life. Yes, you can do it, so choose right now to find real joy in exploring your opportunities. Note:

grandiose adj.华而不实的；浮夸的

4

Flowers Tell Everything

Who can deny1 the beauty of flowers? They are beautiful things with lovely smells that are considered to be the best way to show our feelings. Here are some flowers in various forms, colors and smells that can be used to convey2 your feelings.

The rose is called the queen of flowers because of its glory. The red rose symbolizes love, passion, gratitude3 and bravery. The pink rose shows admiration, happiness and appreciation. The yellow rose symbolizes joy, a new beginning, hope and friendship. For the people that like the white rose, it symbolizes innocence4 and true love.

The orchid5 is the symbol of love, beauty and fertility.

The daisy symbolizes purity and loyalty.

The sunflower symbolizes devotion and sunshine.

The tulip6 is the symbol of fame, perfect love and luck.

The iris7 symbolizes friendship, wisdom and faith.

The lily symbolizes purity, simplicity and beauty.

Now you know the meaning of each flower, so you should not give the wrong flower for the wrong reason or feeling. Flowers will help you describe how you feel, since they reveal everything.

Notes: 1. deny v.否认 2. convey v.表达,传达 3. gratitude n.感激

4. innocence n.纯真

5. orchid n.兰花

6. tulip n.郁金香

7. iris n.鸢尾花

5

Every day I wake up and think to myself, "What is going to be my miracle today?" I meditate, and listen to beautiful music, and go through the steps of what I need to accomplish that day. I lie in my bed and think of all the adventures I’m going to have, even if it’s just going to the store, cleaning the house, or just doing the ordinary things of everyday life. I always think: What miracle is going to happen today? What great and unexpected thing is going to happen? It could be a compliment from someone, or it could be a discount at the store that I didn’t expect. It could be so many things.But the one thing that stays constant in my mind is that a miracle is going to happen every day.In that way,my life becomes an adventure to see exactly what it’s going to be. It could be that phone call I’ve been expecting, or forgotten about. Someone from long ago appears, and still remembers me in a loving way.That is my miracle for the day. So what is yours going to be?

6

It is the road you take that decides your destiny but not your destiny that decides the road you take.

The question is: Are you satisfied with who you are? Are you doing what you are capable of doing? Do you get excited about what you are going to do when you get up in the morning? It is high time you asked these questions that reflect the truth about your life. More often than not we have the ability to achieve much greater things, but we get caught in the average things in life and waste our potential. Each one of us has immense ability. But most of us fail to use it. Why?

1. There is no exact purpose for your life.

2. You underestimate yourself.

3. You are too busy to think about any-thing.

4. You are in a comfortable zone.

小学三年级英语阅读短文带翻译

小学三年级英语阅读短文带翻译 (*) 病人和船主 The Patient and the Ship Owner This incident occurred one morning outside Albert Sch-weitzer's hospital in the African jungle.A patient had gone fishing in another man's boat.The owner of the boat thought he should be gi*en all the fish that were caught.Dr.Sch-weitzer said to the boat owner： “You are right because the other man ought to ha*e asked permission to use your boat.But you are wrong because you are careless and lazy.You merely twisted the chain of your canoe round a palm tree instead of fastening it with a padlock.Of laziness you are guilty because you were asleep in your hut on this moonlit night instead of making use of the good opportunity for fishing.” He turned to the patient:“But you were in the wrong when you took the boat without asking the owner's permission.You were in the right because you were not so lazy as he was and

英语美文阅读诵读：我相信(1)

英语美文阅读诵读：我相信 I believe in love because my wife taught me how. I believe that a dance with fear leaves you winded, yet wiser. I believe that having children has made me a better man. I believe that the truth tastes like straw- berries — the really big ones. I believe in friends who stand by you. I believe you have to suffer for your passion. I believe that the happiest people are those with the fewest masks. I believe that too many people stay in jobs they hate to get more vacation days, so that they can spend more time away from the jobs they hate. I believe that we give life its meaning. I believe that liars run from the truth like vampires from the sun. I believe that courage works its way from the heart to the hands. I believe that knowing yourself is one of the finest things you can do. I believe in blue kites with orange tails.

(英语) 英语阅读理解专题练习(及答案)

（英语）英语阅读理解专题练习(及答案) 一、高中英语阅读理解 1．阅读理解 Education is not a bystanders sport. Numerous researchers have shown that when students participate in classroom discussion they hold more positive attitudes toward school, and that positive attitudes promote learning. It is no coincidence that girls are more passive in the classroom discussion and score lower than boys on SATs. We found that at all grade levels in all communities and in all subject areas boys controlled classroom communication. They participated in more interactions than girls did, and their participation became greater as the year went on. Our research contradicted the traditional assumption that girls control classroom communication in reading while boys in math. We found that whether the subject was language arts and English or math and science, boys got more than their fair share of teacher attention. That teachers talk more to male students is simply because boys are more aggressive in grabbing their attention by calling out answers to the teachers' questions first. While girls sit patiently with their hands raised or keep silent. Psychologist Lisa Serbin and K.Daniel O'Leary, then at the state university of New York at stony brook studied classroom interaction at preschool level and found that teachers gave boys more attention, praised them more often and were at least twice as likely to have extended conversations with them. Years of experience have shown that the best way to learn something is to do it yourself. It is also important to give students specific and direct feedback about the quality of their work and answers. Teachers behave differently depending on whether boys or girls are active to provide answers during discussions. During classroom discussion, teachers in our study reacted to boys answers with powerful, precise and effective responses, while they often gave girls mild and unclear reactions because of their silence. Too often, girls remain in the dark about the quality of their answers. Active students receiving precise feedback are more likely to achieve academically. And they are more likely to be boys. This kind of communication game is played at work, as well as at school. As reported in numerous studies, it goes like this. Men speak more often and frequently interrupt women. Listeners recall more from male speakers than from female speakers, even when both use a similar speaking style and cover the same content. Women participate less actively in conversation. They do more smiling and gazing, and they are more often the passive by standers in professional and social conversations among peers. Women often their own statements into unsure comments. This is accomplished by using qualifiers and by adding tag question. These uncertain patterns weaken impact and signal a lack of power and influence. Only when girls are active and treated equally in the classroom will they be more likely to achieve equality in the workplace. （1）What does the authors mean when they say“Education is not a bystanders sport.”? A. Both boys and girls should do more sports. B. The girl students should be the audience to

英语阅读：寓意深刻的哲理美文(双语)

美联英语提供：英语阅读：寓意深刻的哲理美文（双语） 美联英语： 1.The past is gone and static. Nothing we can do will change it. Thefuture is before us and dynamic. Everything we do will affect it. 往昔已逝，静如止水；我们无法再做改变。而前方的未来正生机勃勃；我们所做的每一件事都将影响着它。 2.You laugh at me for being different, but I laugh at you for being the same. 你嘲笑我和别人不一样，我嘲笑你和大家都一样。 3.The consequences of today are determined by the actions of the past. To change your future, alter your decisions today. 今天的果，缘于过去行为种下的因。想要改变你的未来，改变你的今天。 4.Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. 经验是个很苛刻的老师，因为她总是一上来就把你考倒，然后才给你上课。. 5.Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there. 能力会让你青云直上，到达顶峰，但必须靠足够的人格魅力，才能让你留在那里。 6.Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. 生活，不是用我们呼吸了多少下来衡量的，而是要看我们多少次屏住呼吸 7.I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. 生活的哲学：把空的装满，把满的倒空，哪里痒抓哪里.

英语阅读(中英文对照)文章汇总

双语阅读文章汇总（一） 一、冰淇淋居然可以高温不化 Ice cream that doesn't melt! Japanese scientists create a recipe that includes a secret strawberry extract to keep the treat cool in warm weather 日本科学家发明了不会融化的冰激凌，还能在炎热的天气里保持凉爽的口感 Japanese scientists have come up with a cool solution to stop ice cream melting before you've had time to finish it. 近日，日本科学家们找到了防止冰激凌融化的好方法。 C (82.4 F) weather and still tas The ice cream retains its original shape in 28° tes 'cool',according to the report. 据报道，这种冰激凌在28度的温度中不仅不会融化，还能保持清凉的口感。 A strawberry extract stops the oil and water from separating so quickly whic h means the icecreams (pictured) stay frozen - even if you blow a hair dryer at them, reports suggest 报道称，冰淇淋不会融化是由于一种叫做草莓提取物的物质，它减缓了水油分离的速度，使得冰激凌即使是在吹风机的吹拂下依旧保持形状。 The company created the ice creams by accident. 这种冰激凌的产生完全是出于意外。 A pastry chef tried to use the strawberry extract to create a new kind of con fectionery in orderto use strawberries that were not the right shape to be sold . 甜点师本想用这种草莓提取物创造一种新型甜品，以试图把因品相不好而无法顺利出售的草 莓利用起来。 He realised the cream would solidify when put in contact with the strawberry extract. 他发现可以使用草莓提取物来减缓冰激凌融化的速度。

英语阅读：英语美文欣赏

美联英语提供：英语阅读：英语美文欣赏 两分钟做个小测试，看看你的英语水平 https://www.sodocs.net/doc/ea6463924.html,/test/kuaisu.aspx?tid=16-73675-0 英语美文欣赏 There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real! 在一生有多少这样的时刻：我们对一个人朝思暮想,只想一把把他们从梦中拉出来,真切的拥抱一回! When the door of happiness closes,another opens,but how many times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us. 一扇通往幸福的门关闭了,另一扇幸福之门打开了,可有多少次啊,我们徘徊在那扇关闭的门前,却忽略了那扇早已为我们开启的新的幸福之门. Don't go for looks; they can deceive.Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.Find the one that makes your heart smile. 不要以貌取人,外貌可能会欺骗你;不要追逐财富,财富会消失的.去寻找那个让你笑口常开的人吧,一个微笑就可以使暗淡的日子豁然开朗.去追寻那个令你心灵愉悦的人吧! Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be,because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do. 做你想做的梦,去你想去的地方,成为你想成为的人,因为你只有一次生命和一次机

英语阅读理解及翻译

1.A strange thing happens to nearly everybody at night(英语阅读理解) A strange thing happens to nearly everybody at night. They turn off the lights, pull up the covers and close their eyes. Six or seven sleeping hours later, they wake up again. Strange, isn't it? 一个奇怪的事情发生在几乎每个人身上，并且都在晚上。他们关上灯，拉上了窗帘和闭上他们的眼睛。六或七小时的睡眠后，他们再次醒来。奇怪，不是吗？ Sleep is a great puzzle. Scientists and doctors would like to talk about why one can't fall asleep. They are not so sure what causes sleep. 睡眠是一个伟大的谜。科学家和医生谈谈为什么不能入睡。他们不知道什么是睡眠的原因。 You will sleep best both when you are in good health and when you don't eat too much or too little. No worries and a comfortable place to sleep are important, too.你会睡得最好当你身体健康时，你不要吃太多或太少。不用担心，一个舒适的睡眠环境是重要的。 Strange things happen during sleep. For example, you often move. You would feel tired ever if you didn't move. You also dream. Part of your brain is still awake when you dream. Dreaming happens when the memory and imagination parts of your brain are still awake. 奇怪的事情发生在睡眠期间。例如，你经常搬家。你会觉得累，如果你没有动。你也做梦。你大脑的一部分仍然是清醒的时候，您也做梦。做梦时发生的记忆和想象的部分你的大脑仍然清醒。 Don't worry if you dream. Some great stories and poems were finished while the writers were dreaming. 别担心，如果你有梦想。一些伟大的故事和诗歌的作家会完成梦想。 根据短文内容,判断下列句子正(T)、误( F) 。 1. A strange thing happens to only someone at night.T 2. Scientists and doctors are both sure what causes people's sleep.F 3. When you are in good health, you can sleep very well at night.T 4. The writer means that some dreams are good for people.T 5. If you eat too much or too little before sleep, you won't sleep well.T 2. At the Barber's Shop 在理发店 Jack went to a barber's shop and had his hair cut, but when he came out, he 杰克去一家理发店剪了头发，但是当他出来时，他 was not happy with the result. When his friend Bob saw him, he laughed 是不满意的结果。当他的朋友鲍波看到他时，他笑了 and said, "What has happened to your hair,Jack?" 说，“你的头发怎么了，杰克？” Jack said, "I tried a new barber's shop today, because I wasn't quite satisfied 杰克说，“我今天尝试了新的理发店，因为我不是很满意 with my old one, but this one seems even worse." 旧的，但是这一次似乎更差。” Bob agreed. "Yes, I think you're right, Jack. Now I'll tell you what 他同意了。”是的，我想你是对的，杰克。现在我要告诉你 to do when you go into a barber's shop next time: look at all the barber's hair, 做的时候，你走进一家理发店下时间：看所有理发师的头发， find out whose hair looks worst, and then go straight to him."

英语阅读短文带翻译：你是独一无二的

英语阅读短文带翻译：你是独一无二的 Enjoy that uniquenesss1. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You do not have to lie to hide the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else. You were meant to be different. Nowhere, in all of history, will the same things be going on in anyone’s mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now. If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap2 in history, and something missing from the plan for humankind. Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it! No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort others with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person. No one can be cheerful and light-hearted3 and joyous4 in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being. Share your uniqueness. Let it flow out freely among your family and friends, and the people you meet in the rush and clutter of living, wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given to you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away! See it! Receive it! Let it inform you, move you and inspire you! You are unique!

最新整理优秀的英语经典美文阅读

优秀的英语经典美文阅读 学习英语的时候要多多花心思哦，所以小编今天就给大家带来了英语的优秀散文，有需要的可以多多参考英语散文一 T o w r i t e o r n o t t o w r i t e 拿起笔还是放下 W r i t i n g i s n o t e a s y.I d o i t e v e r y d a y. 写作非常不容易。我每天都在写作。 A n d I c a n t e l l y o u,i t s q u i t e a c h a l l e n g e. 我可以告诉你，这是一个相当大的挑战。 B u t, t h e m o r e I d o i t, t h e e a s i e r I g e t t o j u s t w r i t e. 但是，我写作的越多，我就越会容易的感觉下笔如有神。 S o m e t i m e s,t h a t s t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t p a r t s t a r t i n g. 有时候，最困难的部分是开始。 W h e n p e o p l e a s k m e a b o u t w r i t i n g-h o w t h e y c a n w r i t e-I o f t e n s u g g e s t t h e y b r a i n s t o r m f i r s t. 当人们问我关于写作他们如何写作我通常建议他们

先作头脑风暴。 W r i t i n g t h e m a i n i d e a s c o l l e c t e d t o a t o p i c, u s u a l l y p r o d u c e s s o m e g r e a t t h i n g s. 写出收集到一个话题的主要思想，这个话题通常会产生一些伟大的东西。 I f t h e t h i n g s g e t o r g a n i z e d, p e r h a p s t h r o u g h a n o u t l i n e, 如果条理化，也许会产生一份提纲， y o u c a n w r i t e s o m e t h i n g r e a l l y g r e a t. 你就可以写出一些非常棒的东西。 M o s t o f t h e w r i t i n g s I d o w i t h s p o n t a n e o u s,I j u s t s t a r t w r i t i n g. 大部分的作品我都是自然而然写出，我才刚开始写作。 I j u s t s t o p p e d a n d d o n e. 我只是停下来做而已。 B u t I a l w a y s g o o v e r w h a t I w r o t e a t l e a s t t w o t i m e s. 但我总是至少两次重温自己所写的。 T h e f i r s t t i m e I g o o v e r m y w r i t i n g i s

【英语】英语阅读理解记叙文100及答案经典

【英语】英语阅读理解记叙文100及答案经典 一、英语阅读理解记叙文（含答案详细解析） 1．根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。 Jackie visited his grandparents on their farm. And he was playing with a slingshot（弹弓） in the woods. He practised in the woods but he could never hit the target. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Without thinking, he shot, hit the duck in the head and killed it. He was very afraid. He knew Grandma loved the duck. She would be sad or even angry if she knew that her duck was killed He then hid the dead duck under a tee His sister Susan saw it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day Grandma said, "Susan, let's wash the dishes. "But Susan said, "Grandma. Jackie told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you, Jackie?" And then she whispered（小声说） to him, "Remember the duck? "So Jackie did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, but Grandma sad, "Tm sorry but I need Susan to help clean the house." But Susan smiled and said, "Well, that's all right because Jackie told me he wanted to help." And she whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Susan went fishing with Grandpa and Jackie stayed. These "remember the duck" went on for many days. Then finally Jackie couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and told her that he had killed the duck. She gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. But I just wanted to see how long you would let Susan make a slave（奴隶） of you." （1）What's probably the meaning of the word "target" in this passage? A. 树干 B. 地面 C. 动物 D. 目标（2）What did Jackie hit with the slingshot at last? A. The target B. A rabbit C. The pet duck D. A pet dog （3）Susan didn't tell Grandma about Jackie's secret because A. she wanted Jackie to do something for her B. she was afraid Grandma would be very sad C. she didn't want to make Grandma angry D. she loved her brother very much （4）Jackie helped clean the house instead of going fishing with Grandma because A. he liked cleaning the house B. Grandma asked him to clean the house C. he didn't like going fishing D. he wanted Susan to keep his secret （5）What can you learn from the passage? A. It's dangerous to play with a slingshot on a farm. B. It's impossible to let girls keep secrets for you. C. It makes you feel better to tell than to hide. D. It's dangerous to let others see what you've done. 【答案】（1）D （2）C （3）A

有关于英语美文摘抄阅读

有关于英语美文摘抄阅读 通过美文的赏析,陶冶学生的思想情操,开阔视野,提高对优美散文的鉴赏能力,提高人文素养;同时培养学生的认知水平、情感态度、文化意识,激发学习英语的兴趣。本文是有关于英语美文，希望对大家有帮助! 有关于英语美文：Praying for RainfallThe last flock of pigeons have also gone out of sight after doing their final circling in the soft breeze, the sound of their whistles barely audible. They are hastening back to their warm wooden dovecote(鸽房) earlier than usual perhaps because they have mistaken the bleak(阴冷的，荒凉的) leaden sky for nightfall or because of their presentiment(预感) of a storm. The willow twigs, daubed with a light green by several days of sunshine, are now covered all over with dust and look so sickly that they need to be washed. And the parched soil and tree roots have likewise been dying for rainfall. Yet the rain is reluctant to come down. I can never forget the thunderstorm we often had in my hometown. Over there, whenever the rumble of thunder reverberated across the valley, the buds of spring would seem

英语阅读中英文对照文章汇总

双语阅读文章汇总（一）一、冰淇淋居然可以高温不化Ice cream that doesn't melt! Japanese scientists create a recipe that includes a secret strawberry extract to keep the treat cool in warm weather 日本科学家发明了不会融化的冰激凌，还能在炎热的天气里保持凉爽的口感 Japanese scientists have come up with a cool solution to stop ice cream melting before you've had time to finish it. 近日，日本科学家们找到了防止冰激凌融化的好方法。 The ice cream retains its original shape in 28°C (82.4 F) weather and still tastes 'cool',according to the report. 据报道，这种冰激凌在28度的温度中不仅不会融化，还能保持清凉的口感。 A strawberry extract stops the oil and water from separating so quickly which means the icecreams (pictured) stay frozen - even if you blow a hair dryer at them, reports suggest 报道称，冰淇淋不会融化是由于一种叫做草莓提取物的物质，它减缓了水油分离的速度，使得冰 激凌即使是在吹风机的吹拂下依旧保持形状。 The company created the ice creams by accident. 这种冰激凌的产生完全是出于意外。 A pastry chef tried to use the strawberry extract to create a new kind of confectionery in orderto use strawberries that were not the right shape to be sold. 甜点师本想用这种草莓提取物创造一种新型甜品，以试图把因品相不好而无法顺利出售的草莓利用起来。 He realised the cream would solidify when put in contact with the strawberry extract. 他发现可以使用草莓提取物来减缓冰激凌融化的速度。 1 / 16 The ice creams (pictured), which are only for sale in parts of Japan, first hit stores in Kanazawain April before rolling out in Osaka and Tokyo 不目前，这种冰激凌已经在日本金泽当地开始销售，预计之后会把业务拓展到东京和大阪。过要是想在其他国家吃到这种冰激凌，恐怕还需要一段时间二、做个成年人有哪些好处No one can tell me what to do. 没人能对我指手画脚。Well, except mom. …除了我妈妈。嗯No one except my mom can tell me what to do. 除了我妈妈没人能对我指手画脚。And maybe, girlfriend. 可能我女朋友可以。No one except my mom and my girlfriend can tell me what to do. 除了我妈妈和女朋友没人能对我指手画脚。Well, my manager as well. …老板也可以。嗯No one except my mom, my girlfriend and my manager can tell me what to do. 除了我妈妈、女朋友和老板没人能对我指手画脚。Also, the bank. 还有银行。No one except my mom, my girlfriend, my manager and my bank can tell

英语阅读美文欣赏less is more

2017年4月21日使用的材料(Delivered on April 18, 2017) 2017年4月21日上午开课，建德严州中学（新安江校区）高一学生 请根据本材料（不必改写）做好教学设计. 教学设计上交时间：4月21日一早，抽签现场。一式15份。 选手开会时间，按正式通知为准，具体地点报到时告知。 Steven had had his first starring role in kindergarten, playing a talking stone in a class play. From the moment that he heard the applause and took his bows, he knew he wanted to be an actor. He “drew” his name as it would look at a theatre. In his mind, he “pr acticed” his acceptance speech to the Academy Awards. “I want to thank my agent…” he imagined himself saying to the crowd. By sixth grade, he was used to starring in school productions. He played Romeo in this year’s Junior Shakespeare Festival. His brother said he was probably the first Romeo in the history of theater to have braces. Steven liked everything about acting –except for his brother’s comments about it. Brad was not interested in acting. Steven dreamed of going to California or New York when he got older. Meanwhile, he read the “trades” at the library –the newspapers and magazines of the acting business. He couldn’t believe it when he saw that there was going to be an open casting call in his own Midwestern city. He begged his parents to take him, but they worked on Saturdays and they couldn’t take the day off. He was forced to ask his older brother, the critic. The part called for a boy who looked about 14. Steven figured he could pass. Unlike Brad, Steven looked older than his age. Brad, on the other hand, at 16 looked more like 14. The boys arrived early at the theater where the try-outs were taking place. There were already over 200 kids there. Steven picked up his application. Brad picked up one, too –“just for fun,” he said. Each of them then studied the short script they’d been handed. Like all the other kids, they mouthed the words over and over. Some kids found quiet spaces to read their lines aloud, with all the right emotion. Steven as ked Brad to listen to his reading. “Okay, but you have to listen to mine, too.” “Deal,” Steven answered. Then he read, and, as usual, he was good. Next, it was Brad’s turn. Steven couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. Why hadn’t Brad ever tried out for a play? Where had he gotten all this talent all of a sudden? He asked his brother, “Why haven’t you tried before?” “I was waiting for something big,” Brad replied. ************************** applause /?'pl??z/ n. [U] approval expressed by clapping the hands 鼓掌 the Academy /?'k?d?m?/ Awards /?'w??d z/ 金像奖 agent /'e?d??nt/ n. [C] 代理人；经纪人 production /pr?'d?k?n/ n. [C] play, film, broadcast etc. that is produced for the public电影、戏剧等（的制作）braces /'bre?s?z/ n. (pl.) two long pieces of material to hold up one’s trousers （裤子的）吊带，背带 comment /'k?ment/ n. [C, U] something that you say or write that expresses your opinion 评论 casting /'kɑ?st??/ n. [C] selection of actors or performers for the parts of a presentation 选择演员 figure /'f?g?/ vt. think; calculate 想；估计 critic /'kr?t?k/ n. [C] someone who gives opinions about something, esp. films, books, music, etc. 评论家；批评家script /'skr?pt/ n. [C] text of a play, film, etc. 脚本 emotion /?'m???n/ n. [U] excitement or disturbance of the mind or (more usu.) the feelings 激情；情感 talent /'t?l?nt/ n. [C, U] (instance of) special or very great ability 才能；天才